The Tide comes to Downtown Norfolk

Starting next year, The Tide starts construction in Downtown Norfolk.

In case the Pilot doesn't approve my comment:

"I look forward to laughing at all the Naysayers (you regular posters know who you are) who are sitting on City Hall Ave in 2010 trying to exit Downtown while we whiz by you on the train. Next up on the list of extensions: EVMS to NOB via ODU and Oceanfront via existing line (yes, these were publicly announced). ORF Airport? Once we get them out of the pockets of the taxi companies, then we're good to go. (it's the airport authority that illegally prohibits (denial of access to a public facility) HRT from serving the airport). Remember folks, The Tide is a Starter Line that is designed to be extended. Please do your research before posting."

I fully expect the Regular Naysayers (you know who you are) to spew fire on the article comment board

Virginian-Pilot is Down

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This is the Virginian-Pilot website as of 1:01 AM Sunday, November 30th, 2008. Uh, oops?

UPDATE (November 30th, 12:15 PM): it's back up and running

POLL: Purchase your MAX pass on that connecting Local Bus?

I'm finally doing a new poll.

Say you get on the 36 and you're on your way to Hampton. You want to purchase a Day Pass and you know you're going to need The MAX. Do you think the Local Buses should sell you the MAX pass?

Trolley Base Humor

Yesterday, I was on the #33 leaving 19th & Pacific at 3:03 PM. We hit every single red light from 19th & Arctic up to (and including) Princess Anne & Dam Neck

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)

Bus schedules:

• Today: Sunday Service (no service in Va Beach except Routes 15, 20, and 960)
• Tomorrow (Black Friday): Saturday Service
• Over Weekend: Regular Weekend Schedule
• Monday: Normal schedule resumes
  

Bound to Go Your Way

This is how it works in Boulder, CO. H/T to Seattle Transit Blog (see their blog entry)

Bus Stop in the Downtown Tunnel

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See a problem here? According to Google, you CAN catch a bus IN the Downtown Tunnel. Circled is County & Court, the main transfer point in Portsmouth. Note the missing Bus Stop icon

Photo Gallery

Introducing my Bus Pictures Photo Gallery. Here's all my HRT pictures in one spot

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=167787&l=0a4b7&id=1255682339

10-13 on the Cutback 25

Yesterday after dropping Amy off, I continued on the 25 to Military Circle and rode the Cutback trip to see what demand would look like during an off-peak trip. Wish I didn't. I bumped into my worst nightmare (my ex) who was riding to Koger

HRT User Citizen's Advisory Committee Meeting

Hampton Roads Transit's User Citizen's Advisory Committee is meeting tomorrow, November 19th at HRT Headquarters, 3400 Victoria Blvd, Hampton. The meeting starts at 6 PM.

Victoria is served by Route 103. To get there on time, I suggest you be on the 103 leaving Hampton Transit Center at 5:15 PM or Newport News Transit Center at 5 PM.

Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation

DRPT, here's an idea: these improvements that you want cost $7 million, right? How about you fork over the $7 million to pay for it! Plain and simple.

See Virginia-Pravda article

h/t Henry Ryto.

WVEC-TV 13: On the Record: The Jordan Bridge

Today's On the Record will feature the Jordan Bridge closing. HRT runs the #65 Jordan Bridge Limited bus to replace it. Read on for more:

• Ideas for Hampton Roads Transit: Introducing Route 65: The Jordan Bridge Limited
• Ideas for Hampton Roads Transit: Route 65: The Jordan Bridge Nightmare
• Ideas for Hampton Roads Transit: Route 65 was FREE*
• Avenging Archangel: Portsmouth Public Libraries: Land of the Pharos

Long story short, the 65 needs fixes.

If you miss it today at noon, the On the Record website will have the show available online tomorrow.

Kansas City: HRT Knows

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HRT knows that Kansas City Area Transportation Authority is aware of my blog. Hmm, anyone want to venture a guess as to what happened?
It has come to the blog author's attention that HRT did let go of one or more department heads, who shall remain unnamed. I wonder if there may or may not be a connection?

See my previous entry, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, for more information.

Route 65 was FREE*

Route 65, the Jordan Bridge Limited, was FREE all this week!!!!!*


* The only problem was that no one said anything until I boarded the bus yesterday. Regular HRT fare, including Day Passes, applies starting Monday.

I still stand by my review, The Jordan Bridge Nightmare.

Disturbing Thoughts from Unnamed Drivers

These drivers reporting this shall remain unnamed for their protection

It has come to my attention as of late that HRT is not treating its drivers well. For example, one transferred between bases and got to keep the seniority from the original base, thus pushing down drivers who were at the destination base.
Just the other week, Norfolk Dispatch yelled at Virginia Beach Dispatch as well as some Beach drivers for using the old radio instead of the new radio. The reason the drivers used the old radio? The new one wasn't working.
The whole agency is like this, and something needs to be done.

Unusual Sighting: 1800 series bus on MAX 960

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This is something you don't see every day: Bus 1810 was running MAX Route 960

Route 65: The Jordan Bridge Nightmare

Today, UCAC Chairman Henry Ryto and I took a ride on the #65 Jordan Bridge Limited (Bus 1235) and on paper, it's wonderful. In practice, the bus we rode sat at County & Court for a whole 30 minutes AFTER it was time to go. Also, the "Elizabeth River Park" Park & Ride is a gravel disaster. The bus had NO shipyard workers riding (the target riders for the route), and considering how the drivers didn't care that they left 30 minutes later, I don't blame them.

Kansas City Area Transportation Authority

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This is interesting to know. This is the log from my counter and it shows Kansas City's The Metro reading my blog. There were searching for ""hampton roads transit" service planning staff". Interesting.

This is a public log and is available for anyone to read. Simply click View My Stats, then head to Recent Visitor Activity.

Tide Maintenance Shop Contract Awarded

HRT awarded a contract yesterday to construct the maintenance and storage facility for The Tide. It is a $10.9 million contract and because of NSU paranoia, er concerns, is 11.7% over budget.

NSU: since you demanded - excuse me, requested - these changes, perhaps HRT should bill you for the 11.7% or $1.5 million?

Residents of Western Washington vote to increase their taxes to pay for Public Transit improvements

Voters in King County, Washington, Pierce County, Washington, and Snohomish County, Washington voted 60% to 40% to raise their taxes to pay for public transit improvements

This is the area where my Father lives, so I pay close attention to what happens.

Way to go Sound Transit :-)

Vote Today

Today's the day. Go vote. All buses are on a Weekday schedule.

New Look

I got bored of the old look, so Ideas for Hampton Roads Transit has a new look :)

I've also added an MSNBC widget to let you track the Presidential Election on Tuesday